From my perspective, C is right about the empowerment of a financial cushion. It does not have to be large, just enough to be a cushion between you and disaster.
My W would never deal with money issues. She just spent like crazy. This was a source of contention between us, but when she left I was able to assure her she would be okay. There was money for first, last and damage deposit. There was money for utility deposits. I think it never registered on her that she was going to be using the very money she had been so nasty to me for saving.
Last night we were talking and she mentioned something she wanted to do. In the next breath she stated she could not afford to do it right now. That had never been a concern before.
The above story is not important. The significance is in the confindence displayed by my W when she was talking about her finances. This small change visibly empowered her to exhibit confidence in handling her life situation.
